Lope De Vega's Archedemus Claims Hawkesbury Cup

Mark Smith - Saturday April 27

Lightly raced five-year-old gelding Archedemus took a five-run winning streak in the $500,000 Provincial Championship final at Randwick but after troubled run he could do no better than eighth.

Trainer Gwenda Markwell, owner Ross Williams and jockey Corey Brown had combined to claim the Group 1 Australian Derby with Angel Of Truth and the trio found a consolation for Archedemus in Saturday's Group III Hawkesbury Gold Cup.

The son of Lope de Vega (IRE) dominated the race from the front and kept up a relentless gallop to defeat cult hero Tom Melbourne by half a length with Sixties Groove three and a quarter lengths back in third. (image Steve Hart )

Advertisement

It advances the record of Archedemus to 6 wins and 1 second from 9 starts with earnings of $311,680.


"He's certainly a nice horse and he knows how to win a race," Markwell told AAP.

"I looked at him at the 600 (metres) and I thought 'you're cantering' and I knew he'd keep going.

"My only worry was the firm track. I really liked him with the 53 kilos and if it had been a bit wet I would have declared him."

"We'll see how he pulls up whether he heads to Queensland.

"He's been up a long time because the preparation was geared around the Provincial Championship but he's only had the five starts."

A half-brother to the Group III-placed filly Mandylion (Nicconi), Archedemus is the best of four winners from five to race out of the Peintre Celebre mare Carolyn's Star who had been purchased by Colm Santry Bloodstock for $50,000 at the 2008 Inglis Great Southern Bloodstock Sale.

Carolyn's Star is a granddaughter of the Group 1 SAJC South Australian Derby winner Mapperley Star (Sir Tristram) who is a sister to Group 1 WRC New Zealand Oaks Stakes winner Royal Heights from the family of the champion Battle Heights.

Carolyn's Star has an unraced 2yo filly by Zoffany (IRE) named Librarian and a yearling by Adelaide.

She was covered by Flying Artie last spring having not been served in 2017.

Archedemus becomes the 53rd stakes-winner for Lope de Vega (IRE) who shuttled to Australia for four seasons (2011-14).

Advertisment
More Reading...
Almanzor Stayer wins G3 Tattersalls Cup
It's been a long time since the  2022 Victoria Derby and some may have wondered whether the winner Manzoice was ever going to win again!
Tattersall’s Mile For The Inflictor - Under The Louvre’s Second SW
Third at Listed level before winning at Doomben, the Craig Cousins-trained The Inflictor (Under The Louvre) then tackled the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap, and while not in the same league as winner War Wachine (Harry Angel), the 4yo gelding showed his class on Saturday to win the Listed BRC Tattersall’s Mile (1600m) at Eagle Farm.
Lope de Vega's Vega One Too Strong in MM Cup
Tony Gollan has his eyes firmly fixed on the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap for Vega One after the four-year-old son of Lope de Vega captured Saturday’s $1 million Magic Millions Cup (RL) at the Gold Coast.
Sires With Winners - Saturday June 28
Here is the full list of 109 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Aussie 2YO SW for Tivaci
New Zealand-bred colt Matahga stamped himself as an exciting spring three-year-old prospect with a hard-fought victory in the A$120,000 Listed David Peacock Oaklands Plate (1400m) at Morphettville on Saturday.
Better Than Ready’s Metalart Wins Group 3 W J Healy Stakes
Improving off a third in the Listed Lightning Handicap at Eagle Farm recently, 4yo Better Than Ready gelding Metalart stepped up to 1200m to record his first black type success, winning the Group 3 W J Healy Stakes.
Private Eye’s Half-Brother King’s Secret Wins Again
Although he may never reach the heights of his older half-brother Private Eye, a Group 1 winner and earner of more than $12m to date, connections of King’s Secret (Shalaa) are sure to have plenty of their own fun with the 3yo gelding winning at Rosehill on Saturday.
Lope De Vega Service Fee Rises to 100,000 euros
It seems a long time ago that French Derby winner Lope de Vega (IRE) shuttled to Patinack Farm in Australia, the top class son of Shamardal now one of Europe’s most desirable stallions with Ballylinch Stud lifting his fee for 2020 to 100,000 euros.
Another Aussie SW Sourced from Aga Khan Studs
When Australian investors buy tried horses out of Europe from Aga Khan Studs they know they are getting quality, but the good ones don’t come cheap with Elamaz (IRE) sourced from their draft at the Arqana Arc Sale last year for €480,000.
Qatar Bloodstock's Endless Drama Wins G2 Foxbridge Plate
Fireworks were expected at Te Rapa on Saturday as several of last season’s equine stars kicked off their new spring campaigns in the Group II US Navy Flag Foxbridge Plate (1200m) and it was recent Group I  Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) placegetter Endless Drama who delivered with a stunning victory.